InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Youkai and the Exterminator ❯ Chapter Seventeen ( Chapter 17 )

Chapter Seventeen

 

 

Shippou rolled the ball back to Rin and sighed. "This place is boring."

 

Rin caught the ball and gave him a serious look. "Sometimes," she admitted. She did get bored herself, and then she'd do something that would make Makiko look at her like she was a little barbarian. She couldn't help it; she would rather be with Sesshomaru-sama if she had any choice.

 

It was strange. Rin knew that she wasn't scared to be alone, but she got a tight, funny feeling in her stomach if the demon lord left the fortress without her for very long. He rarely showed any kind of physical affection towards her, a light brush of his hand on her hair was all she could ask for. Still, it did get boring without anyone her own age to play with. She hoped Shippou and his friends were planning to stay for a long time.

 

The kitsune bounced energetically around the courtyard, ignoring the serious conversation that was taking place between Miroku and Sango. He wondered where Inuyasha and Kagome had gone. If nothing else, the hanyou was always good for his entertainment, easily provoked and quick to rile. It was one of his favorite games.

 

The fortress was nice, he decided, feeling a little out of place among all the inuyoukai, being kitsune and all. Then he remembered the half-kitsune woman they'd met in the woods, this was where she'd come from.

 

Rin smiled and poked Shippou, grinning. "I have an idea about what we can do," she said, pointing to the far side of the courtyard where a familiar figure in red was approaching.

 

"What's going on?" Inuyasha demanded, looking with interest at Miroku and Sango. They were both smiling and looked up at him and Kagome. There was an ease to the tension he'd noticed between them and Inuyasha was grateful for that. Too many unsaid feelings were floating around for his comfort.

 

"Just talking," Sango said primly, smiling a little with the sun in her eyes. It felt strange for everyone to be so at ease, like the tension that had accumulated over the last few weeks had waned. She also realized that she was ravenously hungry and wondered if she'd have any luck getting herself a late breakfast.

 

"I'm starving," she announced, getting to her feet. "Anyone else?"

 

Inuyasha opened his mouth to reply, thinking he could do with a bit more breakfast himself as his morning meal had been so rudely interrupted by a fool's challenge. Before he could say a word, a bright red ball bounced unceremoniously off the back of his head. He uttered a low growl of annoyance and spun around. "Shippou! You wanna explain that, fuzzball?"

 

Rin shrieked with mock terror at the look on his face. "Run, Shippou!" she squealed.

 

Inuyasha growled playfully for Rin's benefit, menacing the laughing kitsune in his best imitation of a bloodthirsty demon. "You better run!" He bolted after the fox, scooping up the shrieking human girl in one arm as he bore down on the young kitsune. Shippou dodged merrily, staying one step ahead of the pursuing half demon.

 

Kagome shook her head at the sight, enjoying the sight of Inuyasha playing so easily. Maybe he wasn't quite as tense as she'd thought, or maybe she'd had something to do with the lightening of his mood.

 

Sango saw a faint blush appear on Kagome's cheeks as she watched Inuyasha run around the courtyard like a maniac. She nudged her friend meaningfully. "Why are you smiling like that?"

 

Kagome grabbed Sango by the arm and steered her towards the fortress. "I'll tell you all about it while we get something to eat."

 

"I think I'd like to hear this too," Miroku commented, following the girls. Kagome just raised an eyebrow at him and smiled.

 

Inuyasha was too busy chasing kitsune to notice that his humans had withdrawn. He growled deeply, sending Rin in to squeals of giggles as he stalked the young fox. "You're really going to get it this time, Shippou."

 

"As if you can catch me," the fox child said challengingly. He danced away from one of Inuyasha's fast grabs. "If you can catch me, I'll apologize to you," he taunted.

 

Inuyasha was on top of him almost instantly, hardly hampered by the shrieking Rin who clung to his hair. He had a fistful of kitsune tail and swung Shippou's startled face in front of him, grinning. "So you were saying? You want to apologize?"

 

Shippou gulped and knew he had to make good on his promise. Then he looked over the white head and saw something that he hoped would distract the hanyou.

 

"Rin," he blurted, pointing over Inuyasha's shoulder. "Who are they?"

 

Inuyasha turned around to see where the fox was gesturing. A small group of youkai children were watching intently. Their faces were solemn and they looked like they were fascinated. They were just kids, but Inuyasha still felt his mood darken at being stared at like that.

 

Even the kids, he decided in disgust.

 

"You guys wanna play?" Shippou asked brightly, still swinging from Inuyasha's grip with an airy unconcern that spoke of having been in this position many times before.

 

The youkai younglings looked surprised by his offer, then wary. Finally, the tallest of them moved forward and shook his head. "No, it's forbidden."

 

Inuyasha felt a sneer starting to cross his face. "Too good to play with a human, a fox, or a hanyou?"

 

The boy looked shocked, reacting to the nastiness of the half-demon's tone more than his words. "N...no, hanyou-sama," he said, bowing deeply. His finger came up to point at Rin. "We can't play with her, it's not allowed."

 

His eyebrows raised in surprise, glancing back at the little girl who still sat on his shoulders with her fists buried in his long white hair. "That true, Rin?"

 

She nodded vigorously. "I'm not supposed to play with demons," she said softly, so only his ears could hear her. "Makiko says that Sesshomaru-sama will be very angry if they hurt me by accident."

 

He was momentarily nonplussed by her words. His brother was that protective of her? Huh, he mused, thinking this was something of a surprise. "He would be angry, wouldn't he?"

 

Inuyasha made a snap decision that had nothing to do with his brother's orders. "Tell you guys what," he said bluntly, getting their attention. "You can tell them you were playing with me if you want. Nothing is going to happen to Rin, she's my responsibility. Now do you want to play?"

 

The way their faces lit up at his words made him ashamed he'd thought ill of them before. Their parents might not want them playing with a dirty blood hanyou, he thought, but at least the kids don't have a problem with it. He dropped Shippou so the little kitsune could run to retrieve his ball.

 

"Okay," he grinned, shifting Rin a little bit so she could see over his head. "Let's play."

 

oOo

 

Kohaku kept to the shadows, watching his sister's friends playing with the youkai children. He felt no desire to join in; playing so easily would feel strange. He'd been watching his sister for the past few minutes anyway, wondering if he should just ask her about her situation. Somehow, he couldn't quite find the words and sighed heavily.

 

She looked so...happy. It had to mean that she wasn't being treated badly by Sesshomaru, for whatever reason, the demon lord had been kind to the both of them in letting them reunite. Still, she was his sister and he was the only member of their family that was still living. Shouldn't he be protective of her? Never mind that Sango could take care of herself in battle, this was something different.

 

The boy withdrew from the shadows when he heard the sound of footsteps coming his way. It was Jano and a stranger he'd never met before. He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to be a bother, but his heart wasn't going to let him leave the subject alone. Jano noticed him waiting and smiled easily at him

 

"Jano-san," Kohaku greeted him, bowing politely.

 

The bodyguard stopped and looked down at him. "Kohaku, were you waiting for me or is there some other reason you're lurking here?"

 

He blushed. "I wasn't waiting for you, not exactly." He was careful not to look at the strange demon, remembering the incident with Hisuni from a few days ago. "I was wondering if you could take me to see Sesshomaru-sama."

 

Jano raised an eyebrow and frowned. "He's really busy, Kohaku. Is this something that can wait?"

 

The boy shook his head and set his chin firmly before his resolve could weaken. "No, Jano-san. I need to speak to him as soon as I can."

 

"Can you tell me why?"

 

Kohaku looked down at the ground. "It's personal."

 

"It's in regards to his sister, I believe," the stranger said quietly. Kohaku was startled enough to look up and meet the lord's eye. "You wish to ask Sesshomaru-sama if his intentions towards your sister are honorable."

 

Jano swore lightly. "Don't do that please, Barou-sama. Most creatures don't appreciate having their secrets read aloud."

 

He turned back to Kohaku and placed a comforting hand on the young man's shoulder. "It's okay, Kohaku. You don't have to say anything."

 

"It's true," the boy whispered, staring openly at Barou now. "How did you know?"

 

The clanlord smiled slightly and touched the boy on the chin, ignoring Jano's grunt of annoyance. "It wasn't difficult, humans are much easier to read than youkai. Your affection for your sister is very strong." A slightly dreamy look caught the lord's eye then and then his face darkened considerably. Anger flickered over Barou's face and he pulled his hand back as if he'd been burned.

 

"Jano," he said accusingly. "What has been done to this child? His mind is innocent, but his memories are horrifying. What kind of monster is responsible? This boy has been violated most hideously."

 

Kohaku backed slowly away, afraid of Barou and even Jano now. Somehow this man could see everything, all the horror he'd sobbed out to his sister. He didn't want another demon in his mind, not ever, not again. He'd kill himself before he'd let his body be used as a tool of destruction.

 

"You're scaring him, Barou," Jano said harshly, stepping between them.

 

Barou looked very angry now, his fangs were bared and his eyes had a haunted look. "If I find out that this has been done by one of Sesshomaru's people," he began hotly.

 

Jano looked fierce. "Do you think that Sesshomaru would stoop to mind-raping a child? I know what was done to Kohaku, but it wasn't done here! For the love of the gods, Barou! Are you so damn paranoid that you think he'd do something like that?"

 

The anger slowly faded from the clanlord's face. "I guess not," he said in a soft, dangerous tone. "I can tell your outrage is genuine and I have no choice but to believe your words."

 

"You didn't have to read my mind to know that," Jano growled back. Kohaku felt uncomfortable, trapped between two obviously powerful youkai.

 

"You don't like me much, do you, Jano?" Barou said in his quiet voice.

 

The bodyguard's eyes flashed. "I don't much like what you are and I don't like what you've done in the past. Sesshomaru trusts you, he knows you and understands you. I don't. I think that someone who can and does go into the minds of whoever he wills is dangerous."

 

Barou's expression didn't change, becoming every bit as unreadable as his cousin's. "Say what you like. I have no regrets about anything I've done. How are my actions different from your own other than the methods I use? You've killed plenty under the Daimyo's orders as well as Sesshomaru's."

 

"I didn't kill off half my own clan in a fit of paranoid rage," Jano bit out. Barou flushed and looked away, but Jano pursued the subject relentlessly. "The Daimyo should have executed you for that."

 

"Perhaps," Barou answered, his eyes going quite placid and mild again. "If you'd been raised in that household, you might feel differently. Or have you forgotten my lovely sister?"

 

Kohaku felt Jano's hand tighten on his shoulder and held very still. There was obviously something personal between these two and the mutual dislike was hard to endure.

 

"I'm sorry," the boy squeaked out nervously.

 

Jano instantly relaxed his hand. "No, I'm sorry Kohaku. This isn't your affair." He glared at Barou. "I assume you can find your own way out of the fortress, my lord."

 

Barou nodded and swept away from them, heading for the nearest staircase. Kohaku held his breath as he felt the tension start to drain out of Jano. Finally, the bodyguard turned the boy to face him and looked down into Kohaku's eyes.

 

"Are you certain you really want to talk to Sesshomaru about it?"

 

Kohaku nodded firmly. It wouldn't do to back down now, he had to do it. "Yes, Jano-san."

 

Sighing heavily, Jano rubbed the back of his neck. "All right then, let's go see if he's got a minute free."

 

Kohaku followed Jano all the way up the stairs, remembering that Sesshomaru's private rooms were located at the top of the tallest tower. He tried not to be nervous, but his heart was still pounding incessantly in his chest.

 

Jano tapped on the door and then pulled Kohaku inside. "My lord?"

 

The youkai lord looked up from the scroll he was examining and frowned slightly. He met the amusement in Jano's gaze and turned his golden eyes on Kohaku.

 

"What is it?"

 

"I believe Kohaku has something he'd like to discuss with you," Jano said mildly. He shot a wicked smile at Kohaku as he slipped back out the door. "Good luck, kid."

 

Sesshomaru stood up and regarded the young man impassively. "Kohaku."

 

He remembered his manners suddenly and bowed deeply. "Thank you for seeing me, Sesshomaru-sama."

 

Sesshomaru regarded the young man with a serious expression. Sensing something unusual in Kohaku's demeanor, he slowly set down the scroll and moved to stand in front of the boy. "You wished to speak to me?"

 

Kohaku swallowed hard. "Yes, my lord. It's about my sister."

 

The youkai raised an eyebrow at him and didn't so much as blink. "And?"

 

He nodded, feeling his throat gone dry. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about, my lord. She's my sister and my only family I have."

 

"I am aware of the circumstances, Kohaku," the lord said dryly. Was it possible that Kohaku objected to the relationship? Certainly a variable he had not foreseen. Then it suddenly clicked in Sesshomaru's mind. Only family, the young brother gathering his courage to speak to his sister's lover. This had to be a human tradition of some kind. The boy might not object, but obviously felt obligated in some way to see to his sister's welfare.

 

He sighed lightly. It would have to be dealt with sooner or later.

 

"Kohaku, accompany me," he said softly and went to the balcony. The boy followed after a moment, not wanting to offend the demon by showing hesitation. It wasn't as if Sesshomaru needed to throw him off the balcony to be rid of him.

 

Sesshomaru looked out over the stunning view, listening as the young human next to him took a deep breath of pleasure at the sight. He gestured in a long, slow wave. "What do you see, Kohaku?"

 

"My lord?" Kohaku wasn't sure what the demon meant. It was a stunning view, breathtaking really. What did it have to do with Sango and himself?

 

"I am lord of this place," Sesshomaru said quietly. "You know that already, my word is law. Whom I choose to take to my bed and make part of my life is not to be questioned, even by yourself."

 

Kohaku blushed, outright blushed from pure embarrassment. "I'm sorry, my lord. I...I shouldn't have come here."

 

A light touch brushed his shoulder and Kohaku found himself compelled to look up at the tall demon, meet that icy golden gaze. So empty of human emotion, so unforgiving and remote. Kohaku felt purely exposed and hoped that the youkai wasn't going to just kill him on the spot. It would break his sister's heart.

 

Sesshomaru divined what the human was feeling purely by instinct. The boy's pulse had sped up and his breathing grew harsher. He was afraid, justifiably so perhaps.

 

It did nothing for him to have Sango's brother quail in fear of him and Sesshomaru felt an unaccustomed sympathy invade his heart. "Kohaku, I'm not going to kill you for coming to me with a valid concern. I hold your sister in very high regard."

 

Relief spread through the boy's body in an almost palpable wave. Sesshomaru wondered about human emotions. Kohaku had come to him out of love of his sister. He had reflected once before that their love for each other was vulnerability, a weakness that could be exploited. It was also that love that gave Kohaku the courage to come here, face the lord of the West on what had to be a touchy and uncomfortable subject.

 

"Have I satisfied your curiosity regarding my intentions?" he asked, a rare smile crossing his face. Rather than being angry or offended, the incident was becoming a source of amusement to him. He looked forward to relating this interchange to his mate. For that was how he was referring to her in his own mind now, even unaware of the life that was growing within her, unannounced and still private, she was his mate and this was now the brother of his mate. Good enough.

 

"Yes, my lord," Kohaku said, relieved beyond words. As long as the demon was treating his sister with respect, he could rest easy about it. Now he could understand the happiness in his sister's eyes that he knew wasn't just for his sake. That was good; she had someone to turn to. Kohaku bowed politely once again, the youkai lord already dismissing him to turn away and look over the wide, lovely valley.

 

oOo

 

"The rules are simple," Jano said bluntly, meeting the hanyou's sullen expression. "Non lethal attack only, no youki strikes. Only bare muscle and claws. Don't tell me that's going to be a problem for you?"

 

Inuyasha snorted. "I can handle anything he can throw out at me, don't make me fucking laugh."

 

Jano glared at him. "This is serious, you stupid shit. You want to look like an idiot when you fight him?"

 

The hanyou turned a deadly look on his brother's bodyguard. "Non lethal combat," he bit out. "I won't kill the fucker, is that what you want to hear?"

 

"More or less," Jano grumbled. The word was out all over the fortress. Yasuke had sent a challenge to the hanyou, Inuyasha had accepted even though in certain eyes it was a serious breach of protocol. The court was whispering about it, scullery maids gossiped to guards, young demons made bets with each other about the outcome.

 

Jano was amused that the incident was causing such a stir. For his part, Sesshomaru hadn't commented regarding the challenge, Yasuke's claims of unprovoked insult or his brother's angry acceptance. All he'd said, privately for Jano's ears alone, was that if his annoyance of a half brother was so stupid as to accept such a challenge, he had better not embarrass the bloodline by losing.

 

Excitement was building in the fortress by the time that sunset was approaching. In ancient tradition, Yasuke had chosen the time as his right as challenger. Inuyasha didn't give a damn either way, saying loudly to make sure he was overheard that if Yasuke made him miss dinner there was going to be hell to pay.

 

Shaking his head, Jano wondered if the young hanyou had any idea how much interest was being generated by his loud mouth. Bragging was part of the duel, supported by the social structure as a way to feel out the true nature of the challenge. Win or lose, it was public now and blood pride was on the line.

 

He had one or two more things to do before all hell decided to cut loose. Signaling to a pair of guards, he called them over. It wasn't lost on Jano that tonight happened to be the full moon, and thus a celebratory feast night. For those who lived in the fortress, indeed almost all dog demons, the full moon was considered to be a special night.

 

It was Sesshomaru's father who had come up with the notion of honoring it with a feast. Even the most loyal subjects needed a little time off to socialize and regroup.

 

As Jano recalled, his own father had told him about how Inutaisho had set about establishing his own traditions when he assumed the role of Daimyo. The previous lord had been such a grim, cruel and violent creature that his son had deliberately started marking the day of his death with a celebration. This had evolved into a feast once a month and it was easier to track the time by the phases of the moon. Sesshomaru had seen no reason to discontinue such a popular tradition even if he himself avoided the gatherings almost religiously.

 

Shiou and Haru approached warily to Jano's summons. As far as they knew, neither of them had done anything to earn his displeasure or his wrath. The story of Nizo's stupidity had made its way through the guard and everyone was trying like hell to not follow in his footsteps. Jano's dark eyes were twinkling with mischief and both guards felt a touch uneasy about it.

 

Jano clapped Haru on the back and pushed Shiou to face where he was pointing. "I need you two to be my eyes tonight," he said mildly. "I can't be everywhere at once and I'd take it as a personal favor if you would keep an eye on my special guests."

 

"The humans?" Haru blurted out. Shiou turned a distinct shade of green. "Don't you think maybe they should just stay in their rooms tonight?" he asked.

 

Grinning, Jano shook his head. "Not at all. I see no reason to lock them away." His fingers tightened meaningfully on the back of Haru's neck. "Not when I can arrange such outstanding security for them."

 

Shiou and Haru glanced at each other, at a loss for how to protest. Jano was purely enjoying their discomfort. "Come on, lads, it's just a girl, a monk, a kitsune pup and a boy. You can't keep watch over them?"

 

"What about the other one, the exterminator woman?" Shiou said grumpily. Jano's claw flicked out to snag his chin painfully.

 

"Don't you think you should have a little more respect in your tone for Sesshomaru-sama's chosen lady?"

 

Their eyes nearly boggled out of their heads and Jano laughed at the consternation in their faces. "Oh, you didn't know?" he sneered playfully. Better that he made sure they knew, made sure they spread the gossip accurately.

 

"Just so you understand that's why she doesn't need any additional protection. It would be suicidal for anyone to treat her with even the least bit of disrespect. Pass the word."

 

They nodded slowly and moved away, heads close and muttering. Might as well make sure it was common knowledge, no sense in letting another incident like what had happened with Nizo take place again. Whistling lightly to himself, he made his way across the courtyard. It was late afternoon and already he could smell the wonderful aroma of the feast being prepared.

 

Mouth watering like a pup's, he decided it wasn't too far out of his duties to inspect the kitchen and make sure the meal was up to standard. One way or another, it was going to be an entertaining evening.

 

Down in the cavernous kitchen, controlled chaos reigned supreme. Jano had to duck out of the way several times as various helpers and cooks came barreling past him, intent on their work. He wandered lazily around the room, sniffing here and there at the food being prepared until his nose led him to where the meat was being slowly roasted.

 

Two sweaty looking younglings were crouched by the hearth, obviously having been threatened with dire consequences should they let that meat burn. He grinned at them and they smiled back, unable to be heard over the shouting and confusion that was echoing across the room.

 

Jano leaned in close to the fire to cut off a portion of the roast, walking away and stuffing most of it in his mouth. Juice dribbled down his chin and he licked his fingers with satisfaction.

 

"Jano!" He turned, seeing Makiko advancing on him with a predatory gleam in her eye. The woman pulled a long, very long, carving knife from her pocket and took a rather threatening stance. "What are you doing cutting into that roast, it's not done!"

 

"I'll take my chances," he muttered around his mouthful. Really, Makiko could be such a stickler for the rules. She ran the kitchen with assiduous attention to hygiene. Angrily, she gestured at the short blade he had used for slicing his snack.

 

"That blade is probably filthy," she growled. "I have no idea what you use it for and I really don't want to know. You have no business sticking that into something that others will eat. I know you were raised better than that."

 

For the love of the gods, she sounded like his mother now. Shaking his head, Jano turned and left her standing there. "Lighten up, Makiko. No one is going to suffer because I snipped off a bite of roast."

 

She fell into step behind him, still holding that carving blade like she wanted to use it on him. "That's not the point," the woman snapped peevishly. "I swear you do these things to drive me crazy, it's like looking after a child. Don't you think I have enough to do already without having to police the kitchens?"

 

Jano yawned, he'd been up late the night before and was starting to wonder if he'd have a chance for a quick nap before the fun started at sunset. Probably not. Makiko followed him all the way out of the kitchen, nagging like she was never going to stop. Finally, a sharp blow to his shoulder made him turn around to face her.

 

Makiko's face was flushed. "Have you even heard a word I said?"

 

"I was trying to block it out," he snapped. With a low growl of annoyance, Makiko sheathed her knife and grabbed Jano's arm to pull him into her small office.

 

"I was talking to you about this ridiculous challenge of Yasuke's. I can't believe Sesshomaru-sama is allowing it to proceed."

 

"It's his choice, Makiko," he said mildly, folding his arms and looking down at the angry woman. Her temper brought a delicate flush to her cheeks, made her eyes sparkle like jewels. It was hardly the first time he'd been on the receiving end of her whiplash anger, but he was still fascinated as always.

 

"Why are you making such a big deal out of it? You can't stand Yasuke any more than I can, I thought you'd like seeing him get the spit kicked out of him publicly."

 

"Proper protocol," she began.

 

He shook his head, getting a little angry himself now. "Protocol be damned, you think Inuyasha cares about that? Hell, he's looking forward to any excuse to hit him again."

 

Makiko glared at him. "You're responsible for this, aren't you, Jano? You're the one who put the idea in Yasuke's head for a public duel."

 

He had to laugh at that; she was indeed a sharp one. "What if I did? Thought it would be good for that sullen puppy of a hanyou to let his people see that he's not a weak half-breed."

 

Her eyebrows rose curiously. "Who said that to him?"

 

Jano snorted. "Nobody here, but that's what he thinks we all think of him. Told me to my face that he hated us full blood bastards. I thought it might be good for him to settle a few of his personal issues."

 

"So you set up Yasuke for this purpose?" Makiko folded her arms and shook her head. "Gods, Jano. Why would you do something like that? Whatever that boy thinks of himself or us is not your problem. You shouldn't interfere."

 

"That's exactly what I thought you'd say," he retorted. He wasn't surprised she disapproved, but Makiko hadn't grown up in this fortress or known Inutaisho. Jano couldn't explain that Inuyasha reminded him strongly of Naota at that angry stage. He felt a strong urge to do something about it, out of loyalty to his former Daimyo if nothing else.

 

One son consumed by anger, one son frozen in ice. Although Sesshomaru had been showing distinct signs of thawing. He had no idea why, but he also knew better than to prod. And if his nose wasn't playing tricks on him, things were much more serious between the demon lord and the exterminator than anyone else yet realized.

 

"Just let me worry about it," he told Makiko mildly.

 

"Hopeless meddler," she scoffed. "I don't know why I bother trying to get through to you."

 

He swung back around and grabbed her by the arms before she could react. Easily, he lifted her up and plopped her down on the table, leaning forward until his nose was almost touching hers. "I don't know why you bother either. I also don't know why you always refuse me. If you want to talk, let's talk about that."

 

She shoved at him. "Get off me, idiot. This is not the time or the place to discuss it."

 

His finger tickled her chin and she glared at him. Jano grinned. "You're too tense. I know a good way to relax you, take your mind off other people's problems."

 

"I don't need your help," she hissed.

 

"I disagree," he answered. Boldly, he leaned forward and gave her a playful lick on her chin. She jerked away from him, eyes narrowed in annoyance. It wasn't the first time they'd played this game.

 

Makiko put on her sweetest smile, the one that would send the household staff running for cover. "What's the matter, Jano? Can't your ego handle the fact that there's one female in this fortress that won't fall at your feet?"

 

"Ego has nothing to do with it," he murmured. Another quick lick, this one just below the ear. "I already fell at your feet a long time ago. You turned me down."

 

"I should have stepped on you instead," Makiko grumbled. With a graceful twist, she managed to free herself and jump off the table. Right into Jano's chest and he immediately clamped his arms down over hers, plastering them together in a tight embrace.

 

Makiko's nose was buried in the leather armor he customarily wore and she was aware of the intimate contact between their bodies. Chest to chest, hip to hip and thigh to thigh, there was barely an inch of her that wasn't touching Jano. Makiko's hands curled into tight fists, willing herself to not give in, she was not going to be a slave to her hormones or a notch on anyone's bedpost.

 

Jano felt her resistance starting to waver and wondered if this time he was actually going to see some kind of positive response out of the defiant Makiko. Talk about someone needing to thaw out a bit, he thought wryly. Her arms slowly moved to embrace him, sliding around his back and wandering upwards toward his shoulders. He smiled, eased back and moved to kiss her, having been waiting for this moment for some time.

 

Something sharp poked him in the stomach. Jano pulled back from Makiko just enough to realize it was his own knife that was threatening him. She'd slipped it from his belt without his knowledge. Makiko looked at him with an amused condescension and slowly moved the blade lower.

 

"I'd suggest you remove your hands from my person, Jano-san. Unless you wish to be rather painfully neutered? And I already mentioned, I can't vouch for the cleanliness of this blade."

 

"Threats of violence," he murmured before he dropped his arms and let her free of his embrace. "Makiko, I'm flattered that you care so much."

 

With a swift move any of the guard might envy, Makiko turned and threw his knife, embedding it deeply in the wood of the doorframe. "I have work to do," she muttered, shoving past him without so much as a backward glance. He had to grin as he pulled his knife free. She always knew just how to make him do whatever she wanted. One day soon, he vowed to return the favor.